Answers to Questions

COVID-19 Support Payments

414 Ms COOK (Hurtle Vale) (17 March 2021). How much of the $60 million allocated for rental relief during the COVID crisis has been allocated/spent by the government to date?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government): The Treasurer has provided the following advice:

The South Australian government remains committed to supporting businesses and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is injecting $4 billion into South Australia's economy to create thousands of local jobs over the next two years, driving South Australia's ongoing recovery from the economic challenge of COVID-19. The government's stimulus spend leverages another $1 billion in commonwealth and local government and business funding, taking the total stimulus in the state to $5 billion. The 2020-21 budget outlined the stimulus measures introduced by the government and the estimated cost of those measures. This included a range of rent relief related measures.

To the end of March 2021, the government has provided an estimated $21.3 million in rent related relief to businesses and the community. The table below provides a breakdown of these measures. Some of the measures, such as land tax relief for landlords and commercial owner occupiers, are demand-driven programs and paid on application after evidence that the relevant criteria has been met (for example a reduction in rent is provided to eligible tenants). The value of relief delivered will increase as applications are made.

The government has also provided two rounds of small business grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses that were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility for the second round of small business grants was extended to include $3,000 grants for eligible businesses that do not employ staff but operate from a commercial premise.

Note: Does not include small business grants

(a) Various measures.

(b) Requires landlords to provide an equivalent or higher value of rent relief to affect tenants.

In addition to direct relief, the government has also introduced a number of measures to protect tenants. This included a moratorium from eviction in relation to the non-payment of rent where eligible tenants are suffering rental distress as a result of the pandemic and a temporary freeze on rent increases.